Is the GOP battle to pick a presidential contender over?

SMU experts offer blow-by-blow analysis of the candidates and the politics

March 30, 2012

The Republican battle to pick who will take on President Obama in the fall seems to be in the hands of Mitt Romney, but there are still important primaries ahead. What does the future hold for Romney, Rick Santorum and the GOP?

Cal Jillson, Ph.D., Professor of Political ScienceOne of the nation’s foremost political experts, he regularly provides journalists thoughtful insight on Texas and U.S. politics. He is the author of the forthcoming Lone Star Tarnished: A Critical Look at Texas Politics and Public Policy.

Matthew Wilson, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Political ScienceHe specializes in religion and politics, as well as public opinion, elections and political psychology.

Campaign Ads and Voter Communication

Rita Kirk, Ph.D., Professor of Corporate Communications and Public AffairsHer knowledge of the evolving communication landscape has made her a valuable resource in analyzing trends in politics and political communication, such as that found on YouTube, FaceBook, Twitter and other social media. She has the ability to adapt to story topics and specializes in political and persuasive campaigns.

Polls and Surveys

Lynne Stokes, Ph.D., Professor of Statistical Science
She is an expert in surveys, polls and sampling, as well as in non-sampling survey errors, such as errors by interviewers and respondents.

Economy & Unemployment

Tom Fomby, Ph.D., Professor of EconomicsHe can discuss the Texas economy vs. the rest of the nation, what the unemployment rate means for Texas and political promises about the economy.

Immigration

Pia Orrenius, Ph.D., Fellow at SMU's Tower Center for Political StudiesA senior economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, her research focuses on the border region and the causes and consequences of Mexico–U.S. migration, illegal immigration, and U.S. immigration policy. She is the author of Beside the Golden Door: U.S. Immigration Reform in a New Era of Globalization. See video of her CNN interview .

Education Issues

David Chard, Ph.D., Professor of Education and DeanHe writes op-eds and speaks to journalists on education issues ranging from controversial textbooks to inadequate teacher training. He is an expert on best educational practices.